How to Climb With Spurs

Professional arborists and telephone lineman employ spurs when scaling up and down the trees or poles. Spurs have a calf-high wrap that secures them to the legs and have long, pointed metal spikes that grind into the tree or pole and allow ascent. If you have a pruning project or need to use spurs to climb, make sure to take the time to familiarize yourself with the gear before heading up.

Things You'll Need

  • Climbing spurs
  • Tree harness-wrap
  • Helmet
  • Gloves
  • Climbing harness
  • Locking carabiner
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Instructions

    • 1

      Put on your work clothes and boots. Wrap the spur harnesses around your calves and secure them with the straps or clips Each spur set is different. Use the straps or clips on your spur harnesses accordingly. Put on your climbing harness and wrap the tree strap around the tree or pole and clip it into your harness with a locking carabiner.

    • 2

      Step up to the tree or pole and push the strap up above your torso. Step onto the tree or pole by jamming a spur spike into the side of the tree or pole. Use the spur as a type of step and then pull your opposite leg up and plant its spur.

    • 3

      Walk up the tree or pole via the spur "steps". As you lift the spurs out of the pole or tree and plant them in the new position, be sure to push the tree strap up and lean back so the strap helps support your weight as well as the spurs.

    • 4

      Pull one spur out of the tree or pole and plant it a few inches lower than before to begin your descent. Walk down the tree by alternating the spurs and sliding the strap down. As before, make sure to lean back to keep yourself anchored to the tree with your body weight.